CommunityWire

Project Renewal Celebrates Renovations and Renaming of Historic Supportive Housing Near Times Square

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New York City homeless services nonprofit Project Renewal hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its 307-unit supportive housing building at 351 West 42nd Street in Manhattan, to celebrate a $15 million renovation and the official naming of the building—which was once the historic Holland Hotel—as Geffner House, after former Project Renewal CEO Ed Geffner. The project was funded by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). “Thanks to Ed Geffner’s extraordinary vision and leadership, Project Renewal turned this run-down building into one of the nation’s first and largest supportive housing sites in the 1990s,” said Project Renewal President and CEO Mitchell Netburn. “Ever since, we have been privileged to provide quality permanent housing and comprehensive support services to formerly homeless and low-income New Yorkers. We are thrilled to unveil this latest renovation project and to honor Ed’s legacy with the renaming.

CommunityWire

“RESISTANCE, Resilience, Commemoration And Culture” Workmen’s Circle-Sponsored Trip To Poland Will Connect To History, Commemorate 75th Anniversary Of The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

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(NEW YORK, NY) – The Workmen’s Circle is sponsoring a very special Jewish Journey to Poland April 16 – 26, 2018. Highlighting the Jewish legacy of “Resistance, Resilience, Commemoration and Culture,” this Jewish journey will connect to over a thousand years of history and Yiddishkayt (Jewishness). Dr. Michael C. Steinlauf of Gratz College will serve as Scholar-in-Residence. The group tour will include bearing witness to history and the extraordinary resistance of the Warsaw Ghetto Partisans, as they commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising at the historic sites of the Warsaw Ghetto. Designed to take participants on a deep dive into the thousand-year history of Jewish life in Poland, the Workmen’s Circle’s curated journey will include connections to the high cultural tradition of art, literature, music, and theater, and bring participants into the heart of the vibrant Jewish community that existed in pre-twentieth century Poland, as well as commemorating together the losses of the Holocaust.  It will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Project Renewal Names Jody Rudin Chief Operating Officer

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Jody Rudin was named Chief Operating Officer of nonprofit Project Renewal. Ms. Rudin will be responsible for the operations of the organization, including overseeing its 16 shelters, transitional, and permanent housing developments and its medical, behavioral health, and employment services. Fifty-year-old Project Renewal is a leading homeless services provider. The organization provides individuals and families with the comprehensive homes, health and jobs services they need to renew their lives and reclaim hope. Prior to joining Project Renewal, Ms. Rudin served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Damian Family Care Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center with 15 locations, where Ms. Rudin led an unprecedented expansion that resulted in 40 percent growth in number of health centers. From 2003 to 2016 Ms. Rudin worked at the New York City Department of Homeless Services, first as Director, Entitlements and last as Deputy Commissioner, Adult Services. “Jody is a great addition to the Project Renewal team. Her experience and expertise will enable us to serve more New Yorkers in more effective and impactful ways,” said Project Renewal President and CEO Mitchell Netburn. “While we are in the midst of an expansion, there are even more New Yorkers who could benefit from our comprehensive services. Jody will help us make sure we can provide the highest quality services to those who need them.”
In the past year, Project Renewal opened two new shelters, including the city’s first shelter for LGBTQI young adults and a shelter for seniors.  Additionally, the organization recently broke ground for its fifth supportive and affordable housing development, which includes 130 units for formerly homeless and low-income New Yorkers and an innovative aquaponics greenhouse. The organization was also selected to run New York City’s first diversion center, which will provide the police with an alternative to sending individuals experiencing mental health and substance use disorder issues to jail. “I am thrilled to join Project Renewal.

The Workmen’s Circle Honors American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten at Annual Winter Benefit on November 30

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(New York, N.Y.) – The Workmen’s Circle honored its historic partnership with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its President, Randi Weingarten, at its Annual Winter Benefit on Thursday, November 30, seizing the occasion to urge guests to redouble their efforts to work toward economic and social justice. The benefit, held at Helen Mills Event Space and Theater in midtown, drew more than 130 attendees, including supporters, friends, and union members. Flanked by courses of appetizers and dessert, a brief program illustrated the Workmen’s Circle’s longstanding commitment to seek a better and more beautiful world for all – and to resist efforts that divide instead of unite. “Our progressive movement this past year has placed great demands on us all,” said Ann Toback, Executive Director of the Workmen’s Circle. “We have been forced into the position of fighting off a barrage of attacks on workers’ protections, civil liberties, immigrant rights, healthcare reform, taxation, and the list goes on.

CommunityWire

Flatiron Partnership Launches Sixth Annual “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” Season, Unveils Dynamic Holiday Installation Flatiron Reflection

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Last night, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District kicked off the sixth annual “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer” season featuring free performances, fitness sessions, prizes, hot beverage giveaways, and much more. The centerpiece of the festivities, Flatiron Reflection, selected through the fourth-annual Flatiron Plaza Holiday Design Competition in partnership with Van Alen Institute and NYC DOT Art, also was unveiled on the North Public Plaza in the shadow of the famed Flatiron Building. “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer,” which runs from Friday, December 1st through Saturday, December 23rd, includes free, holiday-themed events showcasing the intersection of shopping, dining, and culture in the neighborhood. The launch event featured a performance by The Jazz Gallery, small bites from ilili BOX, hot chocolate from Shake Shack, and opportunities to win gifts from local businesses by spinning the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership’s Prize Wheel. “You can brighten your holidays with a visit to Flatiron this season,” said Jennifer Brown, Executive Director of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership.

News

Flatiron Partnership and Van Alen Institute Unveil Winner of Flatiron Public Plaza Holiday Design Competition: Flatiron Reflection by Future Expansion

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 On November 20, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) and Van Alen Institute unveiled Flatiron Reflection, winner of the fourth-annual Flatiron Plaza Holiday Design Competition in partnership with New York City DOT Art. The reveal kicked off the BID’s sixth-annual 23 Days of Flatiron Cheer season, with the installation as a highly visible centerpiece for the Partnership’s holiday programming. Flatiron Reflection was selected by a jury with expertise across the worlds of design and public art, including representatives from the Flatiron Partnership, New York City DOT Art, and Van Alen Institute’s board of trustees. The installation—situated on the Flatiron North Public Plaza at the intersection of 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue—will be up through January 1st. Flatiron Reflection, designed by Brooklyn-based architecture-and-design firm Future Expansion, is a public-spirited space that encourages new experiences of the city, new modes of dwelling in the plaza, and new views of its context.